Haut Brion 2004

Pessac-Leognan, First Growth

Units	Size	Case size	GBP Price:	Quantities	Buy

Tasting Notes
Tasted at the French Embassy in London. The Haut-Brion ’04 may be entering a rather awkward phase. The nose is reticent at first and demands continued coaxing from the glass. Blackberry, cranberry and leather eventually emerge, later joined by bay leaf, leather and a touch of wild heather. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, dominated by cedar and undergrowth characters. It does lack a little depth and there is a touch of piquancy towards the finish. I feel this is entering a dumb phase but will come through the other side with all guns firing. Drink 2015-2030. Tasted November 2010. (93+ Points) Score: 93 Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2030 01 January 2011
Very funky on the nose, not an immediate charmer, though I am shocked to see that the MWs have drained the bottle much faster than any other Graves! Didn't show very well. A disappointing bottle? Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2030 28 July 2009
The dark plum/ruby-hued 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits a noble, discrete, smoky bouquet revealing notions of plum liqueur, black currants, sweet cherries, and subtle earth. In addition to its aromatic complexity, this medium-bodied effort reveals classic elegance and delicacy as well as sweet fruit in the mouth and a long finish. Give this streamlined, civilized wine 2-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 20-25 years. It is amazingly similar to Haut-Brion’s 1999. Score: 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2034 01 June 2007
Although atypically delicate and light for this estate, the 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits the essence of this fabulous terroir situated in the suburbs of Pessac. Gravelly, smoky, cranberry, black cherry, and plum-like scents jump from the glass of this fresh, medium-bodied red along with notions of road tar, earth, and truffles. Stylish, with crisp acidity, it is a beautifully made, pure, long 2004 to enjoy during its first two decades of life. Score: 90 - 92 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2006-2026 01 June 2006
An atypically high percentage of Merlot (61%) in addition to 19% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon make up the 2004 Haut-Brion. Fifty-five percent of the production was utilized for the grand vin, a surprisingly forward, charming, silky effort despite the relatively high tannin. In fact, it reminded me of the 1985 even though those vintage conditions have nothing in common with 2004 other than high yields. In any event, the 2004 is a beautiful effort that is far superior to the 2002. Soft, gentle, and gracious, with a deep plum/ruby/purple color, it offers up aromas of smoked herbs, sweet plums and black cherries, and hints of mulberries as well as earth. Medium-bodied, structured, pure, round, and seductive, with a long finish, there is more here than meets the eye and the palate. Score: 93 - 95 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2024 30 April 2005
Good deep ruby-red. Reticent nose showed some dark cherry with aeration. Densely packed but youthfully closed, even a bit austere today, offering hints of black raspberry and minerals. This is fairly tannic wine (the IPT is 72) but there's nothing hard about it. My sample gained in sweetness and texture with aeration, although its fruit character remained tightly wound. Give this time in a carafe if you plan to try it anytime soon. At this tasting, the '04 La Mission was showing much more personality. (91+ points) Score: 91 Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2007
Wonderful aromas of dried flowers, currant, berries and mineral. Full-bodied, yet reserved and refined. Lovely texture, with a pure silk feel. Seamless and beautiful. Great length. Even better than from barrel. Best after 2012. 12,500 cases made. Score: 95 James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2012+ 31 March 2007

Tasting Notes

Tasted at the French Embassy in London. The Haut-Brion ’04 may be entering a rather awkward phase. The nose is reticent at first and demands continued coaxing from the glass. Blackberry, cranberry and leather eventually emerge, later joined by bay leaf, leather and a touch of wild heather. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins, dominated by cedar and undergrowth characters. It does lack a little depth and there is a touch of piquancy towards the finish. I feel this is entering a dumb phase but will come through the other side with all guns firing. Drink 2015-2030. Tasted November 2010. (93+ Points)

Score: 93

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2015-2030 01 January 2011

Very funky on the nose, not an immediate charmer, though I am shocked to see that the MWs have drained the bottle much faster than any other Graves! Didn't show very well. A disappointing bottle?

Score: 17

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com Maturity: 2014-2030 28 July 2009

The dark plum/ruby-hued 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits a noble, discrete, smoky bouquet revealing notions of plum liqueur, black currants, sweet cherries, and subtle earth. In addition to its aromatic complexity, this medium-bodied effort reveals classic elegance and delicacy as well as sweet fruit in the mouth and a long finish. Give this streamlined, civilized wine 2-4 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 20-25 years. It is amazingly similar to Haut-Brion’s 1999.

Score: 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2034 01 June 2007

Although atypically delicate and light for this estate, the 2004 Haut-Brion exhibits the essence of this fabulous terroir situated in the suburbs of Pessac. Gravelly, smoky, cranberry, black cherry, and plum-like scents jump from the glass of this fresh, medium-bodied red along with notions of road tar, earth, and truffles. Stylish, with crisp acidity, it is a beautifully made, pure, long 2004 to enjoy during its first two decades of life.

Score: 90 - 92

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2006-2026 01 June 2006

An atypically high percentage of Merlot (61%) in addition to 19% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon make up the 2004 Haut-Brion. Fifty-five percent of the production was utilized for the grand vin, a surprisingly forward, charming, silky effort despite the relatively high tannin. In fact, it reminded me of the 1985 even though those vintage conditions have nothing in common with 2004 other than high yields. In any event, the 2004 is a beautiful effort that is far superior to the 2002. Soft, gentle, and gracious, with a deep plum/ruby/purple color, it offers up aromas of smoked herbs, sweet plums and black cherries, and hints of mulberries as well as earth. Medium-bodied, structured, pure, round, and seductive, with a long finish, there is more here than meets the eye and the palate.

Score: 93 - 95

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com Maturity: 2009-2024 30 April 2005

Good deep ruby-red. Reticent nose showed some dark cherry with aeration. Densely packed but youthfully closed, even a bit austere today, offering hints of black raspberry and minerals. This is fairly tannic wine (the IPT is 72) but there's nothing hard about it. My sample gained in sweetness and texture with aeration, although its fruit character remained tightly wound. Give this time in a carafe if you plan to try it anytime soon. At this tasting, the '04 La Mission was showing much more personality. (91+ points)

Score: 91

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 01 May 2007

Wonderful aromas of dried flowers, currant, berries and mineral. Full-bodied, yet reserved and refined. Lovely texture, with a pure silk feel. Seamless and beautiful. Great length. Even better than from barrel. Best after 2012. 12,500 cases made.

Score: 95

James Suckling, Wine Spectator Maturity: 2012+ 31 March 2007

Your Lists & Checkout

New Arrivals

Advanced Search

wine regions

quick links

Haut Brion 2004

Pessac-Leognan, First Growth

search wines

Full wine List

RSS feeds

wine regions

join our mailing list